Breed AppearanceThe Maine Coon, also known as American
Longhair, is a breed of domestic cat with a distinctive physical
appearance and valuable hunting skills. It is one of the oldest
natural breeds in North America, specifically native to the state of
Maine, where it is the official state cat. The Maine Coon is a
longhaired, or medium-haired, cat. The coat is soft and silky,
although texture may vary with coat color. The length is shorter on
the head and shoulders, and longer on the stomach and flanks with
some cats having a lion-like ruff around their neck. Minimal
grooming is required for the breed, compared to other long-haired
breeds, as their coat is mostly self-maintaining due to a
light-density undercoat. The coat is subject to seasonal variation,
with the fur being thicker in the winter and thinner during the
summer.

Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds of
domestic cat. Males weigh from 15 to 25 lb with females weighing
from 10 to 15 lb. The height of adults can vary between 10 and 16 in
and they can reach a length of up to 48 in, including the tail,
which can reach a length of 14 in and is long, tapering, and heavily
furred, almost resembling a raccoon's tail. The body is solid and
muscular, which is necessary for supporting their own weight, and
the chest is broad. Maine Coons possess a rectangular body shape and
are slow to physically mature; their full potential size is normally
not reached until they are three to five years old, while other cats
take about only one year.

HistoryAn American giant and a gentle wild cat
according to legend, the Maine Coon is the result of the mating of a
wild cat and a raccoon, a genetic impossibility imagined because the
coat and tail of the breed resemble those of the raccoon. The Maine
Coon originated in the United States, in Maine. It is thought to
have arisen from crosses between Angoras brought from the Middle
East by sailors, English cats brought by the first colonists,
Russian and Nordic cats, and shorthaired American farm cats. The
harsh climate of this region of the United States produced this
large, hardy cat which may be considered the first American feline
breed. Captain Jenks, a black and white cat, was the first Maine
Coon successfully shown at cat shows in Boston and New York in 1861.
The breed also caused a stir in 1895 at New York's Madison Square
Garden. Persians and Siamese stole the stage from the Maine Coon for
half a century. Interest in the breed was renewed around 1950 and
has been growing rapidly since 1980. A standard was published in
1960. The C.F.A. and the F.I.Fe. recognized the breed in 1976 and
1980, respectively. Although the Maine Coon is one of the world's
most significant breeds, it is fairly uncommon in Europe and rare in
France, where it was introduced in 1981.The Maine Coon Feline
Association breed club was created in 1987. The breed has changed
greatly in recent years. It is larger, taller, and more wild.

BehaviorWell-balanced and calm, this “gentle giant”
with quiet strength is sociable and non-aggressive, albeit dominant.
He is affectionate and very attached to his owner. Playful,
athletic. Females enter puberty late. Kittens grow slowly and do not
reach adulthood until three or four years old. They are easy to
groom, as a good weekly brushing is sufficient.